In short, we don't know how this will pan out till the idiot brings our secret plans to light.

This upcoming season excites me. There is a lot of competition and the heat will be on from day one. I hope that with Napoli and Fiorentina, strengthening I hope to see that translate into better coefficients in Europe. While domestically, they all want a CL birth, and it is there that we will have one of the toughest seasons.

I trust this serves to lure more viewers to Serie A again.

This upcoming season excites me. There is a lot of competition and the heat will be on from day one. I hope that with Napoli and Fiorentina, strengthening I hope to see that translate into better coefficients in Europe. While domestically, they all want a CL birth, and it is there that we will have one of the toughest seasons.

I trust this serves to lure more viewers to Serie A again.

Seems like Fiorentina is likely to sign Julio Cesar as well. Good God, they're gonna be good. Really good.

They still have the issue of central defence imo

Also, the contracts they are giving these players can't be for peanuts, is it really sustainable for them in the long run?

Personally I can't see them being a constant CL presence, which is what's needed in order to fund this project of theirs

Udinese have paid tribute to Coach Francesco Guidolin, who today marks the 40th anniversary of his football debut.

The tactician made his first appearance for Hellas Verona on August 4 1973. He became a Coach in 1986 and has had two spells at the Friuli in 1998-99 and from 2010 to the present.

“From 1973 to today, from Verona to Udinese, Guidolin has had quite a journey,” wrote patron Gianpaolo Pozzo on the official club website.

“Congratulations for this significant step in your extraordinary career. I wish you just as many more years of satisfaction in football. I am proud that Udinese represented an important part of your journey in this world.

“In the years spent together, your contribution to our growth has been decisive. Let me also underline the respect and affection I feel for you go beyond your professional qualities.

“The fact you repeatedly turned down the call of metropolitan clubs to stay with us makes our bond, the bond with the city and our land, much more special than a simple rapport between a Coach and his club.

“The results we achieved together are our Scudetto. I hope they have the same value in your eyes and that one day when you decide to retire you’ll consider Udinese the ‘big club’ of your career.

“With affection, Gianpaolo Pozzo.”

Juve lost 3-1 to LA Galaxy last night. Their pre-season has been far from convincing so far.

Doesn't really mean anything imo, I think they'll hit the ground running in the league.

Santacroce joins Padova
By Football Italia staff

Parma have officially loaned defender Fabiano Santacroce to Serie B side Padova.

The defender turns 27 later this month and Napoli sold him to Parma in July 2012 for €0.9m.

Once an Italy international, Santacroce made only eight Serie A appearances and one Coppa Italia game last season.

He is eager to get more regular playing time and can achieve that in Serie B with Padova.

Talk about wasting money on the wrong players... They could have signed a quality CB for those money.

I don't think there are many of them on the market anyway.

For the first time in Serie A history, there will be 5 derbies among teams of the same city: Milan (Internazionale and Milan), Turin (Juventus and Torino), Rome (Lazio and Roma), Genoa (Genoa and Sampdoria) and Verona (Chievo and Hellas Verona).

Just found on wikipedia a rather interesting fact:

The problem is, I think everyone will be overrun by Juventus once again.

Napoli have a good team, but I think there's too many changes to the squad for them to be consistant this season. Maybe next season.

I think we can do well this year, especially if we sign a couple of the players we're linked to

Unfortunately that "if" falls into the same category as "If pigs could fly..."

Adem Ljajic is on the bench against Grasshopper and Andrea Della Valle admits “there’s not much chance” he’ll stay at Fiorentina.

The striker’s contract runs out on June 30 2014 and negotiations for an extension have so far proved fruitless.

The Viola have made it clear he will be sold this summer if he does not sign a new deal, as they won’t risk losing him on a Bosman.

“Ljajic? I cannot give any answers right now, but there are several different options available,” President Della Valle told Sky Sport Italia in Zurich.

The first leg of the Europa League play-off is tonight and Ljajic is on the bench, most likely to avoid him being cup-tied.

“Next week we will make a decision, so give us a few more days. Personally I would like to keep him, of course, but one has to understand the player’s intentions and the atmosphere.

“Ljajic could still stay at Fiorentina, though there’s not much chance of that happening.”

Serbian international Ljajic has been heavily linked with Milan, though their €9m offer was rejected last month.

We'll see. This is what ADV said tonight before the Fiorentina game




I think Ljajic is a very realistic transfer, same for Honda, the only thing left would then be a really good CB. The French papers keep insisting that Milan will most likely sign Sakho, personally I'm not convinced that we will but there has to be something going on behind the scenes to spark such rumours, not to mention he's on his final year which is the Galliani window of opportunity

These transfers and others we know nothing about are all subject to Milan qualifying. A huge factor in potential transfers is CL football. I am inclined to believe there is a plan B in case we don't make it .. unsure how that might turn out.